Recognizing that hot rods have long been an iconic representation of American culture, freedom and ingenuity, the United States Post Office has unveiled a pair of new “Forever” stamps, each honoring the iconic and easily modified 1932 Ford roadster. Called Hot Rods Forever, the stamps are now available online or at a local United States Post Office.

The unveiling of the stamps took place last weekend at the National Street Rod Association’s (NSRA) Street Rod National East Plus in York, Pennsylvania. One stamp depicts a rear three-quarters shot of a black “Deuce” roadster, trimmed with orange flames, while the second stamp shows a low frontal view of a red Deuce roadster. Speaking to the appeal of both hot rods and the Postal Service’s “Forever” stamps, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe was quick to point out, “Just like the cars they celebrate, these stamps are timeless in that they’re good for mailing First Class letters anytime in the future.”

The Hot Rods Forever stamps join the ranks of other car-themed postage, which includes a series of Muscle Cars Forever stamps, specifically the 1966 Pontiac GTO, the 1967 Shelby G.T. 500, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, and the 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda. Earlier America on the Move stamps, designed by graphic artist Art Fitzpatrick, paid tribute to both ’50s Sports Cars (including the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, the 1954 Kaiser Darrin, the 1952 Nash-Healey, the 1953 Studebaker Starliner, and the 1955 Ford Thunderbird) and ’50s Fins and Chrome (including the 1957 Chrysler 300C, the 1957 Lincoln Premier, the 1957 Pontiac Safari, the 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk and the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado).

The Hot Rods Forever stamps were designed by Derry Noyes and digitally rendered by graphic artist John Mattos. The stamps will be available in sheets, or in a series of products ranging from digital color postmark sets through framed artwork, aimed at those who collect stamps along with grease beneath their fingernails and scars on their knuckles. For additional information on the Hot Rods Forever stamp offerings, visit About.USPS.com.

This was long overdue, but I’m a little puzzled: why just a twofer? Why not a plate of four just like the other automotive series? Does the USPS think that hot rods begin and end with the “little deuce coupe”?

Just so it’s not a 350 Chevrolet powering that thing! I’m sure that the USPS did their homework on how not to rankle the hot rod folks by showing the “wrong” (in my personal opinion) drivetrain in a stamp image of a ’32 Ford. Maybe they’re waiting for part 2, to show more views or more variety. I say, kudos to the USPS for adding these to their collection.

Scotty G,
That train left the station many years ago. I remember working with a GM sales rep who often showed up in his 1930′s Ford roadster with a 327. That combo might rankle you, one that drives me nuts is the Superformance or Factory Five cobra wannbe with Chevrolet power. Beyond the excuse,”it’s my car to do with as I want”, that’s so wrong headed. Isn’t there an otherwise special 1930-1950′s Chevrolet they could find that would benefit from an engine transplant with 283-327-307-305, etc?

The Hot Rod and Muscle Car stamps are currently available online at USPS.com, and the Sports Cars of the 1950′s are often for sale online, but you need to buy 12 cent stamps for the Sports Car stamps, as they are not ‘forever’ ones. Check availability at your local PO for Hot Rod stamps.

Oh boy! Let’s hope this is the tip of the iceberg. Love to see the ’32 three window on a stamp; but then there could be more depending on the reception received and sales of the products. Personally I’d love to see a custom Merc and maybe a ’50′s style rodded ’36 Ford. Then…. next to honour is Bonneville as well as the legendary circle and quarter mile tracks and the race cars that raced on them over the years. Nice job USPS and Kurt.

Talk about timing, I was at the post office yesterday and asked for them, I did get a sheet of them, really cool, its just the two cars, and compared to other stamps these are really small. But yes Luv them.

Without cars, America wouldn’t be America. There’s endless variations on the nation’s flag, why only 2 measly cars? You can get a whole sheet of almost any other thing imaginable. Maybe the suit at the top is a mass transit advocate? Glad this paltry effort was realized, however, with the ever increasing cost of stamps, the Postal Service can do a lot better!

Really glad to see this long-ignored segment of the American car culture finally acknowledged. I was really looking forward to it until I saw the worm’s-eye views. These are not a view that would be readily recognized or typify the proportions or stance of classic Deuce Hiboy! What is more surprising is that there were only 2 different images, rather than the 4 or 6 that have been in other car stamp sets. Other than the grille shell & flames, these could have been Model As considering that there was little actual rendering or shading of surfaces. The artists should have gotten a hold of some back issues of Rodders Journal to see what artful views of hot rods can look like!

The U.S. Post Office still lists the Muscle Car stamps, as well as the new Hot Rod stamps, for sale on its web site uspsstamps.com. So you can mail order them rather than taking a trip. But if you decide to drive to a Post Office, probably better call ahead first – in my experience the Post Offices don’t stock many copies of many stamp versions, especially commemoratives.

A little advice about ordering stamps from USPS. Last time I ordered Muscle Car stamps, it took about 30 days to come from somewhere in the midwest to my eastern home. I mail a letter or light package to Reno, and it takes two days max, don’t know what the holdup is with online ordering. Better to check your local PO for the hotrod stamps.

Great stamp !! I had a Deuce 5 window coupe with a 1956
Olds and 1937 Cad-La Salle transmission in it for the street.

Later my buddy and I decided to run A/G class and pulled the stock engine and replaced it with a bored and stroked Olds of 396 c.i. with a Chet Herbert 180 roller cam and 4 Stromberg 47 carbs on a log manifold. We also had a homebuilt quick change rearend made from a 1939 Ford banjoe center section.

We were very successful in A/G until we ran Ohio George
almost every time we went to Indy.

Please make a stamp with a 1957 Chrysler 300 C Convertible as the Motor Trend Mag. ” Car of the Year ” It was a well advance auto for it’s time with Hemi engine, Push Button Transmission, Torsion Bar Suspension in front and those big beautiful rear body fins. Thank You

I and others have been trying to get a stamp for Route 66 which will be 90 years old in a year and a half. Please keep asking the postal service to make one for all the car people to enjoy and promote. Thanks.